We found some nice spots in Lake Catherine State Park, which is quite close to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Lots of shade, peace and quiet, some hiking trails and views of the lake. Sometimes we choose a RV park for it's proximity to things we want to do, but if we can work it out, we'll always go for a state park. Our spot is on the left in the picture, Jerry and Sandy's spot is on the right.
Lake Catherine is only 17 miles from Hot Springs National Park, so we decided to go and see the nation's oldest national park. It was set aside in 1832 as Hot Springs Reservation by President Andrew Jackson. Before hitting the city streets, we drove up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, which sits 1256 feet above sea level and is 216 feet tall. This was definitely the place for me to get some awesome pictures of the countryside. One big problem: I hate heights and glass elevators. This had both! I paid the $6.00, gathered up my courage and camera and headed for the elevator to the top. I stood with my nose to the wall by the door and hung on. There was no way I was going to turn around and look out the glass elevator as it went up!
I was rewarded with some great views of the little town of Hot Springs and the hills below.
Back in town, we passed by one of the many jug fountains. The mineral water here is free, all you have to do is bring your own container. There are 6 fountains that dispense hot mineral water, and 2 that provide cold water. The water is colorless, odorless and tasteless and is tested quite often by the state to ensure it meets government standards.
The National Park Service here inhabits the luxurious Fordyce Bathhouse which closed in 1962. It was restored and reopened in 1989 as the park visitor center and museum. The extensive restoration showcases this beautiful building that had its heydey in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. In 1946 the Maurice Bathhouse gave 67,587 baths! Thats a lot of clean people!
As we walked through the various rooms, we could see that no expense was spared during the construction of the Fordyce. Walls of fine marble still stand. Above the men's bathhall, is an exquisite domed skylight that contains 8000 pieces of glass.
Here is a room that contained a steam cabinet, whirlpool tub, sitz bath and needle shower.
Don't ask me what these were for....the nozzles look ominous!
Here is the music room where people would meet and relax after their bath regimen was done. Men also had a room to play pool, read or play cards. There was a full service beauty parlor for women where they could have a finger wave, lacquer, neck trim, permanent waves and manicures. The people who went here were obviously pampered.
Jerry and Sandy check out the Hot Water Cascade that sits in a park off Central Avenue. You might be able to tell there is steam coming off that 143 degree water. It was hot!
Don and I took a moment to sit down by a hot water fountain that sits in front of one of the 8 bathhouses that are in different stages of restoration. Now there are only two active bathhouses: the Quapaw and the Buckstaff. The Lamar bathhouse is seasonal. I wonder what it would have been like to be here in the 1940's when they so popular.
After seeing a video at the visitor center, Sandy and I decided to go for it. We were going to try one of those mineral baths with the whirlpool, the hot packs, sitz bath, vapor cabinet, needle shower and the Loofa mitt scrub. Jerry and Don would have to figure out how to occupy their time for the hour or so. Next stop: The Buckstaff for Sandy and me.
Here we are, holding up our personal Loofa mitts and standing by the elevator waiting to take us to a place we have not seen in months.....a bath tub! When you're traveling in a 5th wheel trailer, the best you can hope for is a long, hot shower. Sometimes you get cold ones, and other times the water pressure is so low you might as well have used a sprinkling can! We both enjoyed the experience and came out squeaky clean.
This morning I headed for the lake and got a nice picture of the steam arising from the lake at the early morning hour. Then it was time to pack up and leave for Texarkana. Wish we could have stayed here another day or two, but every site was taken for the weekend.
I was rewarded with some great views of the little town of Hot Springs and the hills below.
Back in town, we passed by one of the many jug fountains. The mineral water here is free, all you have to do is bring your own container. There are 6 fountains that dispense hot mineral water, and 2 that provide cold water. The water is colorless, odorless and tasteless and is tested quite often by the state to ensure it meets government standards.
The National Park Service here inhabits the luxurious Fordyce Bathhouse which closed in 1962. It was restored and reopened in 1989 as the park visitor center and museum. The extensive restoration showcases this beautiful building that had its heydey in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. In 1946 the Maurice Bathhouse gave 67,587 baths! Thats a lot of clean people!
As we walked through the various rooms, we could see that no expense was spared during the construction of the Fordyce. Walls of fine marble still stand. Above the men's bathhall, is an exquisite domed skylight that contains 8000 pieces of glass.
Here is a room that contained a steam cabinet, whirlpool tub, sitz bath and needle shower.
Don't ask me what these were for....the nozzles look ominous!
Here is the music room where people would meet and relax after their bath regimen was done. Men also had a room to play pool, read or play cards. There was a full service beauty parlor for women where they could have a finger wave, lacquer, neck trim, permanent waves and manicures. The people who went here were obviously pampered.
Jerry and Sandy check out the Hot Water Cascade that sits in a park off Central Avenue. You might be able to tell there is steam coming off that 143 degree water. It was hot!
Don and I took a moment to sit down by a hot water fountain that sits in front of one of the 8 bathhouses that are in different stages of restoration. Now there are only two active bathhouses: the Quapaw and the Buckstaff. The Lamar bathhouse is seasonal. I wonder what it would have been like to be here in the 1940's when they so popular.
After seeing a video at the visitor center, Sandy and I decided to go for it. We were going to try one of those mineral baths with the whirlpool, the hot packs, sitz bath, vapor cabinet, needle shower and the Loofa mitt scrub. Jerry and Don would have to figure out how to occupy their time for the hour or so. Next stop: The Buckstaff for Sandy and me.
Here we are, holding up our personal Loofa mitts and standing by the elevator waiting to take us to a place we have not seen in months.....a bath tub! When you're traveling in a 5th wheel trailer, the best you can hope for is a long, hot shower. Sometimes you get cold ones, and other times the water pressure is so low you might as well have used a sprinkling can! We both enjoyed the experience and came out squeaky clean.
This morning I headed for the lake and got a nice picture of the steam arising from the lake at the early morning hour. Then it was time to pack up and leave for Texarkana. Wish we could have stayed here another day or two, but every site was taken for the weekend.
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